A Research Foundation for Human Development

The Baldwin Research Institute, founded in 1989, has dedicated over a quarter of a century to the research and development of programs proven to be effective in the reinforcement of positive human behavior.

Baldwin Research CBE Programs

The Baldwin Research Institute CBE programs are intended for self-directed positive neuroplastic change and to help individuals understand their inherent power of conviction so they can implement it in better choice making to achieve their goals in life.

Are Support Meetings Necessary for Long Term Sobriety?

Since the 1930s the prevailing knowledge has been that if persons with drug or alcohol problems are to remain sober and drug free, they must attend support meetings daily for the rest of their lives. In 1989, when BRI began its social research, this was the accepted premise. By then it was already known that the most popular of these meetings, Alcoholics Anonymous, was woefully unsuccessful. Nevertheless, because Alcoholics Anonymous was far and away the most well-known program in 1989 for drug and alcohol rehabilitation, BRI selected the Alcoholics Anonymous program as the foundation for its research.

The basis of Alcoholics Anonymous' limited success was set forth in Chapter 7 (page 89) of its book entitled Alcoholics Anonymous:

"Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure [sic] immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. It works when other activities fail. This is our twelfth suggestion: carry this message to other alcoholics! You can help when no one else can."

According to this, in order to stay sober and drug free within the program of Alcoholics Anonymous, every member must become an evangelist for Alcoholics Anonymous. Further and based on Alcoholics Anonymous' dogma, it claims that members of Alcoholics Anonymous can help an active substance user "when no one else can," even though there has never been a study to substantiate such a claim. Furthermore, there is perhaps no other assertion by Alcoholics Anonymous that more influenced the drug and alcohol rehabilitation industry. The entire drug and alcohol rehabilitation industry was started by Alcoholics Anonymous members and was populated by Alcoholics Anonymous members as drug and alcohol therapists, counselors, owners, founders and managers of rehabilitation programs, and federal and state regulatory agencies. All these hundreds of thousands of Alcoholics Anonymous members got jobs based on the absurd notion that they "can help when no one else can." Nevertheless, this was the norm in 1989 when the predecessors of BRI began their research, and to clarify, the founders of BRI were, at that time, considered "recovered alcoholics." Further, even though BRI founders gave some credence to the notion that a "recovered alcoholic" could help the still active substance user, the two BRI founders had many fundamental conflicts with Alcoholics Anonymous' dogma.

In the book entitled Alcoholics Anonymous in Chapter 3 on page 33 the authors boldly state "Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic." Then again in Chapter 6 on page 85 the authors caution, "We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieveâ€¦" The conflict that these statements invoke is irreconcilable with the title page of the book Alcoholics Anonymous. On the title page, it proclaims that the book is about, "...How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism." And again in Chapter 2 entitled There Is A Solution, it proffers,

"We, of ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, know thousands of men and women who were once just as hopeless as Bill. [Bill refers to William Wilson, a self-proclaimed founder of Alcoholics Anonymous.] Nearly all have recovered. They have solved the drink problem."

Consider that the word "recovered" means "To regain a normal or usual condition, as of health." And the word "cured" means "Restoration of health; recovery from disease." And "To restore to health" or to effect "a recovery from: cure a cold." [Emphasis added.] Thus and as used in the book Alcoholics Anonymous, the words, "cured" and "recovered," have the same meaning. Ergo, if one is recovered, one is, in fact, cured. And conversely, if one is not cured, then one is not recovered.

This is the kind of double-speak and hypocrisy that BRI was founded to fight, and despite all our successes, it is a fight we still engage in today.

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Baldwin Research Institute developed programs for residential use at Saint Jude Retreats concentrating on self-directed positive neuroplastic change based on Cognitive Behavioral Learning (CBL). Our CBL Residential Programs were created for individuals of any age who are in a state of personal crisis or have lost their way in overcoming specific problems and need information to use their power and freedom of choice and change.

Our 3 Retreat locations are ideal for individuals seeking a respite from life to gain perspective and take advantage of an individualized voluntary learning experience. Guests take responsibility for making productive, positive choices and are empowered to engage in self-directed changes yielding their best outcomes. Guests start building a solid foundation for accomplishing their personal goals to create the future they have always dreamed of.

The Online/Remote CBL (Cognitive Behavioral Learning) programs provide affordable, convenient online educational programs focused on self-directed, positive neuroplastic self-change delivered via Skype or in person in our NYC office with a certified CBL presenter in bi-weekly sessions. The Online/Remote CBL Program accommodates anyone wanting to make powerful changes in their life but needing to balance career, education, family, and other life commitments which may limit their ability to enter a residential program.

Unlike self-help programs and outpatient treatment centers which promote powerlessness, learned victimhood, and demand expensive counseling and supports, we offer the most effective program for dramatic permanent life change helping people understand their inherent power and discover happiness lies within their own motivation and choices.

The Self-Directed CBL (Cognitive Behavioral Learning) Home Program provides affordable, convenient programs for independent study in the convenience of oneâ€™s own home. Whereas most self-help books, courses, and programs provide only slogans, ideas, and a pep talk with temporary results, but require never-ending counseling, CBL Home Programs provide a process of self-directed neuroplastic change and self-empowerment which helps individuals understand their inherent power of conviction and better choice making will achieve the happiness they desire in life.

The CBL Home Program's curriculum and methods can be accomplished at oneâ€™s own pace fostering personal responsibility and achieving their dreams for a better life and internal peace.